Health

Healthy holiday foods: Cranberries

Health

Healthy holiday foods: Cranberries

The season of parties and treats is upon us. And though it might be the happiest time of the year, it’s not exactly the healthiest. Inspired by our December issue’s story on healthy red and green foods (found
here), I decided to come up with some more nutritious red and green foods that are so beautiful and delicious that you’ll want to add them to your holiday table too. After all, red and green foods are packed with all kinds of healthy phytochemicals that give them their colours (think lycopene and anthocyanins in red foods, and lutein and zeaxanthin in green veggies). This week, I’ll start with the healthiest red foods for your holiday table.
Today’s food? Cranberries. Cranberries traditionally add their beautiful, jewel-tone colour to the holiday table through cranberry sauce, but you can also add dried cranberries to salads and sweets and use the pure juice to make a striking Christmas cocktail.
Why should you eat cranberries? 1. They’re a good source of vitamin E, which is great for your skin, and vitamin K, known for its bone-building properties. 2. Their powerful antioxidants, proanthocyanidins, are known for preventing
urinary tract infections by physically keeping bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract. 3. Due to a number of anti-cancer properties, cranberries have become known for their potential to prevent breast, colon, lung and prostate cancer. 4. Their phytochemicals can reduce harmful inflammation, including the
inflammation that happens in your gums. That makes them a good defence against periodontal disease. 5. They’re good for your heart! Their antioxidants and other phytonutrients prevent the release of enzymes that are necessary for building plaque on artery walls. Some studies also show they help reduce high blood pressure.
Want to get an extra dose of cranberries into your holidays? Here are some recipes:- Baked Brie With Cranberry Caramelized Onions- Cranberry Cabbage- Apple Cranberry Hand Pies (Photography: Alexandra Grablewski/Thinkstock)